5 Easy Dia De Los Muertos Decorations For Kids

I grew up in San Jose, California surrounded by a Mexican-American community that celebrated Dia de los Muertos. Since my son’s birthday falls on the holiday, I really want to start incorporating it into our end of October festivities and teaching my children about the wonderful rituals that surround the day.

Dia De Los Muertos (or Day of the Dead), takes place on November 1st. It’s a day when people remember friends and family members who have passed, tell stories, and build altars to their memories. The decorations surrounding the festivities are colorful and amazing. Here are a few easy ways to incorporate some of the traditions in your home.

1. Shoebox Altar

(Pinterest/ Spanglishbaby.com)

This is a vibrant and heartwarming idea to help you and your kids celebrate the holiday. You can take items that remind you of friends/ relatives that have passed and construct shoebox altars. Spanglishbaby.com teaches you how to make the flowers that decorate the top.

2. Tissue Paper Marigolds

(teachkidsart.net)

Marigolds are referred to as “the flower of the dead” and you’ll often see them in Day of the Dead art and altars. These are beautiful, cheap and easy to make.

3. Q-tip Skeletons

(desertmomma.blogspot.com)

These are adorable and easy to make. All you need are some Q-tips, glue, construction paper and enough artistic talent to draw a skull. I’m pretty sure even I could draw a skull. If your artistic ability is even worse than mine, you could always print an image of a skull out and trace it.

4. Papel Picado

(teachkidsart.net)

Papel picado isn’t necessarily a Day of the Dead decoration – but it is derived from Mexican folk art and you see it used a lot in celebrations of all kinds. If you can draw a few designs and fold paper, you can accomplish these.

5. Skull Masks

(naturallyeducational.com)

Also called Calavera masks, (calavera means skull in Spanish). The masks are a common symbol of the holiday. Your child can make their own easily using paper plates and these coloring pages.